Chapel
In a Christian university setting, chapel represents the heart of religious faith as expressed in worship and love of God and learning. Therefore, chapel at Trevecca is considered to be on the same level of importance as academic classes, and both have required attendance.
Note the following statements taken from two eminent experts on the Christian university experience:
"The college chapel service… that renews the vision of God and studies and keeps things in focus is essential in cultivating a climate of faith and learning. Chapel is the college community at worship, cultivating Christian devotion, dedicating all its activities to the glory of God, seeking biblical instruction that will guide its life and thought, and reflecting on its God-given calling" (Arthur F. Holmes, The Idea of a Christian College).
"The chapel has been the chief college religious symbol and the focal point of all meaning… I think the way of wisdom is to… make the chapel central… Above all, we must make the chapel good, and we must be willing to spend the time, effort, and money to achieve this end" (D. Elton Trueblood, The Idea of a Christian College).
Chapel programs at Trevecca Nazarene University provide a time for community building on and off campus, spiritual enrichment, evangelism, and a specific time for students, faculty, and administration to worship together.
Personal behavior and attire in chapel should be consistent with all due respect and reverence (refer to "Dress and Behavioral Standards" in this section). Students are not to wear earphones, text message, study, read magazines and papers, use computers, write letters or notes, etc. during chapel worship. Cell phones should be silenced when coming into chapel. Students are not to bring babies or small children into chapel; in cases of emergencies, exceptions may be made by the student development personnel.
Chapel attendance is required of all students in accordance with the following guidelines. In order to meet the diverse schedules and journeys of the campus community, students have 38 - 42 opportunities for chapel credit each semester (Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and Monday evenings at 6:00pm). Other opportunities such as Friday Homecoming Chapel and Spiritual Renewal services are also provided. A schedule of all chapels is provided at the beginning of each semester.
Because chapel is considered part of the Trevecca curriculum, each student is required to attend a minimum of 24 chapels during the semester. Schedules, including work, must be planned around class and chapel attendance. No distinction is made between excused and unexcused absences (e.g., sickness, on-campus meetings, work, field trips, personal emergencies, or athletic events); in order to receive chapel credit a student must attend a chapel.
Each student should keep track of her/his attendance record via the iAttended app. Persons who fail to meet the 24-chapel requirement during a semester will be assessed fines (see Student Handbook) and may have further disciplinary action, including disenrollment.
Required credits and exemptions are listed below:
1 - 5 credit hours - Attendance not required
6 - 11 credit hours - Required a total of 12 times during the semester
12 or more credit hours - Required a total of 24 times during the semester
If you think, on the basis of extreme circumstances, that you should be excused from chapel attendance more than the guidelines allow, it is your responsibility to submit a request form for chapel exemption each semester to the Center for Student Development.
Chapel Exemption Guidelines
Chapel exemption requests will generally be considered for students in the following situations only:
- Student teaching and certain senior level internships.
- Commuting students - If your only class meets at 7:30 a.m. or after 12:00 noon on Tuesday or Thursday, you may qualify for a partial exemption.
As all members of the campus community understand the significance and centrality of the chapel program and demonstrate a positive attitude toward our times of worship together, disciplinary actions will not become necessary. Persons who do not fulfill chapel attendance expectations should be aware that the Center for Student Development will respond according to the following guidelines:
Once you exceed the number of allowed absences, fines will be assessed as follows:
1st absence - $10
2nd absence - $15
3rd absence - $20
Additional absences - additional $10 each
Excessive absences may result in further disciplinary action, including dismissal from the University.